I once blew a job interview because I told the interviewer that I get bored easily. Well, actually, I answered his question.
After telling the guy about all of my accomplishments, about my optimism for the future, and the work I do on my own to keep my skills sharp, He asked me the question. I told him how I keep up on various areas of study. I told him how I wake up at 4am every morning to read or develop my technical skills. He was impressed with my enthusiasm. Then he asked me, “Do you get bored easily?”
I didn’t know the right answer. I couldn’t bring myself to say no. I do get bored easily. When I told him yes, I knew it was over. After interviewing for an hour, I threw it out because I couldn’t answer the question right.
“My concern is that we don’t always work on new and exciting things here. I’m concerned that you would find the more tedious aspects of meeting with clients and discussing the same thing over and over again to lose your interest.” I backpedaled as much as possible after that, but it was no use. I found out later that I wasn’t hired because I might get bored easily.
It was one of those moments when you know the right answer as soon as you leave. How could I get bored easily when I spent an entire year learning Mandarin? How can I get bored easily when I sat through hour after hour in history lectures when I’d been up all night working in a motel.
The place I was working at the time I had been at for two and a half years. Still, I missed the question.
This was nearly three years ago. When I look back at that interview, despite the awful feeling I had driving home afterwards, I’m glad I said what I did. I do get bored easily. We should all get bored easily.
When the world moves as fast as it does, some are going to cling to the quo and others are going to move forward falling all the time.
Which would you rather be?